Keeping your baby’s teeth clean may not always be easy — when he clamps his jaws shut, it can be difficult to persuade him to open them — but it is very important.

Ideally, you should start cleaning your baby’s mouth from birth, using a piece of damp gauze or a soft, damp washcloth to wipe any milk residue from his gums and teeth. It’s a good idea to start this early, as it gives your baby time to get used to the whole routine and may make him less likely to object to having his teeth brushed later on!

Once his baby teeth start appearing, it’s crucial to clean them carefully at least twice a day. The bacteria that live naturally in your baby’s mouth turn the sugars (including natural sugars) from foods into acid. This acid may then attack the enamel of your baby’s teeth.

The importance of your baby’s first teeth

Although your baby will eventually lose his first teeth, don’t be fooled into thinking that caring for them is any less important than caring for his permanent teeth later on. Baby teeth “reserve” a place for the permanent teeth to grow into. If a baby tooth is lost, the permanent teeth may shift, potentially leading to orthodontic problems later on. Babies need their milk teeth in order to learn to speak clearly and correctly. Baby teeth are needed for biting and chewing. The excessive loss of baby teeth due to decay can affect your child’s confidence at pre-school level — after all, we all want to look our best!
Choosing a toothbrush

Once your baby has his first tooth, it’s time to buy an appropriate toothbrush. A long handled brush with a small head is best at first, as this design makes it easy to reach all parts of your baby’s mouth quite easily. The brush should have soft, rounded filaments and should be replaced every 10-12 weeks, or as soon as the filaments start to splay.

Alternatively, you could use the type of infant toothbrush that fits over your finger and some babies do prefer this — but beware if your baby is a biter, as they don’t offer much protection to your vulnerable finger!

When your baby is older and wants to hold the brush himself, then buy him a chunkier-handled design, which will be easier for him to hold — although you will still need to do the bulk of the brushing yourself!

Toothpaste and fluoride

You don’t have to use toothpaste to clean your baby’s teeth — the action of brushing is the most important factor in keeping them clean. If you do use toothpaste, then choose one specifically designed for infants — these usually contain very little fluoride. The American Association of Pediatric Dentistry actually recommends that babies under the age of 2 should receive NO fluoride at all.

Although fluoride can help strengthen the enamel of the teeth, too much of it can lead to fluorosis – a condition which can cause white spots to appear on the permanent teeth. Young babies tend to swallow toothpaste rather than spit it out — if you use an adult toothpaste, then they will be swallowing too much fluoride.

Speak to your child’s dentist for more information about the fluoride requirements for your child.

For further information, see How Much Fluoride Is Enough?

Tips for brushing baby’s teeth

If your baby is reluctant to open his mouth, try putting a brush in your own mouth — babies love to copy whatever Mum’s doing! Try singing a musical scale with your mouth wide open (no-one’s looking!) He may try to copy the singing — or he may laugh — but either way, he’ll open his mouth! Sit your baby in whatever position works best for you — standing or sitting behind your baby as he looks up is a great position, because it enables you to reach all parts of his mouth very easily. Be gentle — firm brushing isn’t necessary at this stage and can put your baby off the whole experience.
Visiting the dentist

So when should your baby pay his first visit to the dentist?

According to the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and many other dental authorities worldwide, you should take him for a dental check-up at some point during his first year.

This gives your baby’s dentist the opportunity to identify potential problems at an early stage and also to establish a good prevention program. It also gets your baby accustomed to the routine of dental visits and can help ensure he is calm on future visits.

Tips to keep your baby’s teeth healthy

Avoid giving your baby juice. Nearly 90% of infants in the US are drinking juice before their first birthday. Yet whole fruit is nutritionally superior to fruit juice and contains dietary fiber, which juice lacks. Giving water to your baby is the healthiest option when he needs additional fluids. If you do give your baby fruit juice, then make sure he drinks it from a sippy cup, not a bottle. Drinking juice from a bottle causes it to “pool” around your baby’s teeth and puts him at a very high risk of dental decay. Do not put your baby to bed with a bottle of juice or milk. The lactose in milk can react with the bacteria in your baby’s mouth, forming the acids that attack tooth enamel. Do not dip your baby’s dummy/pacifier into any sweet substance. Do not add sugar to your baby’s food. (NEVER use honey as a sweetener for babies less than 1 year of age — honey may contain botulism spores, which can be fatal to a young baby). Ensure that baby’s teeth get an extra good clean at bedtime! During the night, his natural production of saliva decreases, so its rinsing action diminishes too. This means that any harmful bacteria in the mouth are able to settle on the teeth more easily. If your baby is receiving oral medication, give it to him before you brush his teeth, not afterwards. Almost all oral medications for infants contain sucrose.

By: Christine Albury

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Baby does not have to be “left out” of Holiday meals just because she is an infant. The Holidays are a wonderful time for baby to explore foods and share in the family celebration. Pull baby’s high chair up to the dinner table and watch her joy and wonder as she takes part in the Holiday meal tradition. With some creativity, your baby can have a Holiday dinner similar to what the big kids and adults are eating! Bring your food mill along and grind up some Holiday Foods for your little one!

Below you will find our ideas for how to serve up a Holiday Dinner for your baby or toddler. Please ensure that the combinations and foods suggested are age appropriate for your child! These “recipes” have been found at our Tips Recipes page since we began our baby food website and we look forward to “taking them out” every Holiday.

“Holiday Dinners for Little Ones” For Beginners (younger than 7months old)

Squashy Sweet Potatoes Take a small scoop of that baked acorn or butternut squash and mash in some sweet potatoes

Baby Apple Pie If you will be offering your baby cereal at Thanksgiving, make him a Baby Apple Pie – mix some applesauce together with oatmeal or rice cereal

Pumpkin Pie Baby Pumpkin Pie is easy, simply blend pumpkin puree together with oatmeal or rice cereal

For the Intermediates (7months to 10 months old)

Spicy Squash Add some cinnamon and/or nutmeg to baby’s squash

Green Beans and Potatoes Green beans and mashed potatoes are a staple of many Holiday meals, for your baby, make a blend of white potatoes and green beans

Baby’s Turkey Dinner Serve your baby a yummy Holiday Turkey Dinner m?lange. Take some turkey, applesauce, sweet potato and squash; blend it all together for a yummy meal. If your baby is eating finger foods, simply cut the turkey into small pieces and arrange in baby’s dish with the squash, sweet potato and applesauce.

Tofu Dinner If you will be offering your baby tofu at the Holiday Dinner table, you can make your baby’s tofu meal fitting and festive too. Blend or dice the tofu into manageable bites and blend with squash or sweet potato for a yummy meal. You can also arrange the tofu bites in baby’s dish with squash, white potato and another veggie like carrots or green beans.

Sweet Potato Pie Mix sweet potato, yogurt, cereal and a dash of cinnamon, top with powdered Cheerios or Oatie O’s and mix well. For additional fun and enjoyment, let your baby do the blending of her own Sweet Potato Pie!

Apple Pie Combine cereal, yogurt and applesauce together adding a dash of cinnamon, top with powdered Cheerios or Oatie O’s and mix well. For additional fun and enjoyment, let your baby do the blending of her own Apple Pie!

Pumpkin Pie Combine pumpkin puree together with cereal, yogurt and add a dash of cinnamon or nutmeg, top with powdered Cheerios or Oatie O’s and mix well. For additional fun and enjoyment, let your baby do the blending of her own Sweet Potato Pie!

For the Experienced Palate (11months old +)

Use all the recipes above only serve as “finger” meals if baby is eating chunky foods.

Arrange dices of turkey, dollops of sweet potato and squash and add some white potato along with green beans.

Offer your baby some “real” apple pie at this age (if you don’t mind the sugar that is!)

Is it ok to Offer My Baby Cranberry Sauce or Cranberries? Cranberries tend to be acidic and as such, are not recommended as a “starter’ food for babies. As cranberries are not related to strawberries or other “berries” such as blackberries or raspberries, they do not follow the “no berries until 12 months old” rule. You may wish to introduce cranberries between 9 and 12 months old so as to avoid any possible reactions due to the acidity. Reactions may occur in the form of rashes around the mouth or bottom. Always keep in mind that a bite of a food may not prompt a reaction however a “full” serving may. Read our article for more information>> Cranberries for Baby Food



Can My Baby Eat the Family Pumpkin Pie? Pumpkin Pie typically contains whole eggs and evaporated milk. Many pediatricians will say that for the non-allergic baby of 8 months or older, baked goods with whole eggs are fine. The same advice is true for milk products. Milk in a baked good recipe is fine for the non-allergic infant of 8 months or older. (Please remember that milk is NOT appropriate as a replacement for ****** milk or formula until a baby has reached the age of 12 months or until your baby’s pediatrician indicates this is appropriate!) If you would like your baby to have a Thanksgiving treat and wish to serve him a wee bit of pumpkin pie, consider the above and as always, consult with your pediatrician!

Is Gravy Ok to Offer my Baby? Our inclination is to not offer babies gravy during the Holidays. Homemade Gravy is made of starches and the fatty drippings from the Holiday Turkey pan. Jarred or canned gravy contains a variety of un-pronounceable ingredients that may not be good for your baby.

Keeping in mind the above, if you wish to offer your baby a small drizzle of gravy during Holiday Dinner then feel free to do so. If you bay is prone to digestive upsets, we would recommend using a very small amount or none at all.

As always, you should consult with your pediatrician about offering your baby foods that may not appropriate for baby’s stage!

By: Maggie Meade

About the Author:

With the advent of computers and in particular the internet, it is now so easy to get hold of Restaurant Recipes Online. You can simply find a recipe you like or maybe an entire recipe book of your favorite Restaurant meals and download them straight to your computer.

With access to some of the best restaurant meals that have ever been created I now cook all the time. Before I had my recipe book I used to just throw whatever I could find into a pot or the fry pan and see what turned up. Some of the meals were fantastic whilst others were a little ordinary. This is fine for a single guy but if you want to invite a girl over for dinner then you really need to learn how to cook or at least follow a recipe. Following a recipe is something I can do and cooking great meals is just a bi product of that. Below I have provided you with one of the recipes I found for Chilli’s famous Baby Back Pork Ribs.

In the past when I invited my friends over for dinner I used to always have a BBQ. I love BBQ’s but that was really the only thing I could cook. Once I learned to follow a recipe book I then began to cook other things to go with the BBQ. I started out cooking simple things like Buffalo Chicken Wings and some simple deserts until I really improved my cooking skills. Now I have dinner parties and cook anything my friends tell me they like. Well as long as I can find a recipe for it. I have even gone to the extent of making up proper menus and printing them from my computer of the meals my friends like and cook them in dinner parties every week or so.

Guys if you can learn to cook then you will really impress the girls. Practice makes perfect and that is true for anything including cooking. Have a go at cooking your favorite Restaurant Recipes Online and keep trying until you get it right. I now you can do it. Enjoy the recipe below and happy eating.

Here is the Baby Back Pork Ribs recipe I promised you.

I want my “Baby-Back, Baby-Back, Baby-Back Ribs.” This is the dish that Chilli’s is famous for. Full rack of ribs “double-basted” with BBQ sauce. Typically served with cinnamon apples and home style fries.

6 pounds of baby back pork ribs
2 cups of water

Sauce

1 cup white vinegar
1/2 cup tomato paste
1 tablespoon of yellow mustard
1/4 cup dark brown sugar
1 teaspoon of liquid hickory flavoring
3 tablespoons of Worcestershire sauce
1 1/4 teaspoons of salt
1/2 teaspoon of onion powder
1/4 teaspoon of garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon of paprika

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

2. Cut the rib slabs in half, leaving 6-8 ribs per section. In a large roasting pan, arrange the ribs evenly, then add the water. Cover pan tightly with a lid or foil to prevent steam from escaping. Bake for 3 hours.

3. About 2 hours into the baking time, make the sauce. In a large saucepan, combine all the sauce ingredients. Simmer over low heat for 1 hour, stirring occasionally.

4. Prepare the coals in a BBQ. Remove the ribs from the roasting pan. Discard the water.

5. Cover the ribs with sauce, saving about 1 1/2 cups of the sauce for later use at the table. Grill the ribs on the BBQ for 5 minutes on each side, or until slightly charred.

6. Serve with the remaining sauce and lots of moist towelettes or paper towels.

Serves 6-8

By: Mathew J Flanagan

About the Author:

A perfect baby shower recipe is an essential part of the entire ceremony. Fruit Pizza is a simple to make at home and is an absolute delight.

So, what you need to make this appetizer is:

1 cup sugar
1/2 cup water
1 cup orange juice
1/4 cup lemon juice
1/3 cup butter
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 egg
2 teaspoons vanilla essence
3/4 cup granulated sugar
3 teaspoon cornstarch
2 cups all purpose flour
1 small pack of cream cheese
Seasonal fruits, such as pineapple, kiwi, strawberry, grapes, cherry, banana, apple, etc.

This recipe hardly takes 30 minutes to get cooked and baked, but it is recommended that you chill it in refrigerator at least for 2 to 3 hours before serving. So, you can make it early in the morning before the baby shower party starts.

Let’s proceed towards making the fruit pizza.
1. Wash the fruits, drain well and allow them to dry.
2. Combine sugar, cornstarch, half of salt, water, lemon juice and orange juice in a frying pan. Cook for a minute and set aside to cool.
3. Now make a sugar cookie pizza. Beat butter in a big bowl and add half of granulated sugar, salt and baking powder and beat well, so as to make a uniform mix.
4. Add 1 teaspoon vanilla & egg to above mix and beat well. Now add flour and mix all ingredients, so as to make uniform dough like paste.
5. Roll out about 1/8 inch thick layer on a well-greased pizza-pan.
6. Bake it at about 330 degrees for 7-8 minutes and take out to cool.
7. Meanwhile, combine rest of vanilla extract, softened cream cheese and granulated sugar. Spread this mix over baked pizza.
8. Cut slice fruits in different shapes and make toppings on the pizza.
9. Spread orange sauce all over and refrigerate for 2-3 hours.

So…your fruit pizza appetizer is ready to be served to your baby shower ceremony guests. Serve, eat and enjoy the occasion!

Tip: You can also sprinkle some small sized candies, gems or shredded cherries over fruits layer.

By: Isha Suri

About the Author:

The doggie recipes below were selected because they are easy to make and provide a healthy alternative to store bought treats and food. All have been tested and have met a most positive response from a variety of eager recipients.

The recipes are time tested meaning they have been around for a while. I decided to make them available for those that would like to try making their own treats and foods for their pets. Give them a try and you’ll discover that they are easy to make. Your Cocker Spaniel will love them and you can rest assured that you are providing healthy homemade products.

Have fun with the recipes. You may want to start with Bacon Bites treats. It’s a sure crowd pleaser.

Bacon Bites Doggie Treats – Great treats for training

Ingredients:

4 slices bacon — crumbled
1/4 cup bacon grease — or vegetable oil
3 cups whole wheat flour
1 egg
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 cup milk
1 egg
1/2 cup cold water

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
Mix all ingredients together in a bowl.
When thoroughly mixed roll out on a floured surface to about a 1/2 thickness.
Bake for 35-40 minutes in oven.
Cool and serve.

Birthday Cake for Pups – Fun way to celebrate your pup’s birth date

Ingredients:

2 strips beef jerky — (2 to 3)
4 eggs
1 jar baby food, meat, beef, strained
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 cup soft butter
1/2 cup corn oil

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
Grease a 8x5x3 inch loaf pan then flour throughout.
Smooth butter to a cream in a bowl.
Add corn oil, baby food, and eggs. Mix well until smooth.
Mix dry ingredients into beef mixture until batter is smooth.
Crumble beef jerky and fold into batter.
Pour batter into loaf pan.
Bake for 1 hour and 10 minutes.
Cool on wire rack 15 minutes.
As an option you can ice with plain yogurt or cottage cheese.
Store uneaten cake in refrigerator.

Chicken Delight Comfort Doggie Food – This recipe will tighten up your pup with a delicious meal

Ingredients:

2 cups rice – uncooked
2 small sized potatoes — cubed
2 chicken thighs — or white meat
1 stalk celery — sliced thick
3 carrot — peeled and halved

Instructions:

Place chicken pieces in large pot.
Cover with cold water (5 -6 cups).
Add carrots, celery, and potatoes to water.
Add salt to taste if you want.
Cover and simmer on low heat about 2 hours until the chicken becomes tender.
Add the rice, cover and cook over low heat for about
30 minutes until the rice is tender and most of the liquid is absorbed.
Remove soup from heat.
Pull the chicken meat off the bone ( it will
practically fall off), discard bones.
Return shredded pieces to pot.
Stir well.
Let cool.
Store in the refrigerator or freeze.

Divine Doggy Dinner – A big favorite and very easy to make

Ingredients:

1/2 pound ground beef — or turkey, chicken, lamb
1/4 cup cooked rice
1 small potato
1/4 cup green beans — about 5-8 beans
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

Instructions:

Brown the meat in a pan.
When completely cooked, drain the fat.
Add the cooked rice and mix well.
Set aside.
Cut the potato and beans into small bite-sized pieces.
Place in a pot with water; bring to a boil.
Simmer until veggies are tender (about 15-20 minutes).
Drain.
Add the vegetables to the meat mixture.
Add garlic powder; toss thoroughly under low heat.
Let the dinner cool thoroughly before serving to prevent burning.
Yield: about 2 dinners

Dog Oil Supplement – Great for dry doggie skin, helps promote a shiny coat

Ingredients:

1/4 cup olive oil
1/4 cup canola oil
1/4 cup cod liver oil
1/4 cup flax seed oil

Instructions:

Place oils in brown bottle and shake well.
Store in refrigerator.
Add two teaspoons to the dogs food each day.
Can be add to dry food as well.
Safflower and Sunflower oil may used as well.

Healthy Snacks – Easy and yummy

Ingredients:

1 cup white rice flour
1/3 cup milk
1/3 cup powdered milk
1/4 cup soy flour
1/4 cup egg substitute
1 tablespoon molasses — unsulphered
2 tablespoons safflower oil

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Mix dry ingredients together.
Add molasses, egg, oil and milk.
Roll out flat onto oiled cookie sheet and
cut into bite-sized pieces.
Bake for 20 minutes.
Let cool and store in tightly sealed container.

Home Made Biscuits – Your pup will love these

Ingredients:

1 package active dry yeast
1 cup warm chicken broth
2 tablespoons molasses
1 3/4 cups all purpose flour — (1 3/4 to 2)
1 1/2 cups whole wheat flour
1 1/2 cups cracked wheat
1/2 cup cornmeal
1/2 cup non fat dry milk powder
2 teaspoons garlic powder
2 teaspoons salt
1 tablespoon milk
1 egg – beaten

Instructions:

Dissolve yeast in 1/4 cup warm water, 110 to 115 degrees.
Stir in broth and molasses.
Add 1 cup only of the all purpose flour, all the
whole wheat flour, cracked wheat, cornmeal, dry milk, garlic salt and
mix well.
On floured board, knead in remaining flour.
Roll out 1/2 at a time to 3/8″ thick.
Cut in desired shapes.
Place on ungreased baking sheet, brush tops with beaten egg and milk mixture.
Repeat remaining dough.
Bake at 300 degrees for 45 minutes.
Turn oven off and let dry
overnight.
Makes 42 to 48.

Rice and Hamburger Favorite – Doggie comfort food – Very easy to make

Ingredients:

2 cups rice
1/2 pound hamburger meat
1 teaspoon vegetable oil
1 clove garlic
1/2 cup carrots or broccoli or spinach
4 cups water

Instructions:

Put all ingredients into a large pot, boil until done, then cool off and
serve. That’s It!

Turkey Treats – Healthy and delicious

Ingredients:

2 cups cooked turkey — cut up
2 cloves garlic
4 teaspoons grated cheese
1 tablespoon parsley — freshly chopped
2 egg
2 cups whole wheat flour
2 tablespoons brewer’s yeast
2 tablespoons vegetable oil

Instructions:

Combine turkey, garlic, cheese, parsley and mix well.
Beat the eggs in a bowl and pour over turkey mixture.
Add the flour, yeast, and oil.
Stir until thoroughly mixed and all ingredients are coated.
Drop into small lumps onto ungreased cookie sheet.
Cook in a 350 degree oven for about 20 minutes, until brown and firm.
Store in refrigerator.

Vegetarian Dog Biscuits – A healthy alternative

Ingredients:

2 1/2 cups flour
3/4 cup Powdered Milk
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2 tbs. brown sugar
3/4 cup Vegetable Broth
1/2 cup carrots — optional
1 egg

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 300F.
Mix all ingredients into a ball and roll out to about 1/4″ thick.
Cut with bone-shaped cookie cutter, or strips, or a
cutter shape of your own choice.
Place on ungreased cookie sheet and
bake 30 minutes at 300F.

Veggie Bones – Meatless treats

Ingredients:

3 cups minced parsley
1/4 cup carrots — shredded
1/4 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons bran
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 cup water — possibly more

Preheat oven to 350 F, rack on middle level.
Lightly greased baking sheet.
Stir together parsley, carrots, cheese, and oil.
Combine all the dry ingredients and add to the veggies.
Gradually add 1/2 cup of water, mixing well.
Make a moist, but not wet dough.
If needed add a little more water.
Knead for one minute.
Roll out dough to 1/2 inch thickness.
Using cookie cutter, cut out the shapes and transfer them to a baking sheet. Reroll the scraps and continue until dough is all used up.
Bake for 20 to 30 minutes until biscuits have browned and hardened
slightly.
They will harden more as they cool.
Store in an airtight container.

Puppy Formulas

Recipe #1

Ingredients:

2/3 Cup Goat milk canned (or just regular canned milk)
1/3 Cup water or Pedialyte
1 teaspoon Karo Syrup
1 egg yolk
1 teaspoon Dyne or pediatric vitamin

Instructions:

Strain a couple of times to make sure there is no albumin in the
mixture, although it has been used successfully without egg at all.

Recipe #2

Ingredients:

1 cup of canned Condensed milk or evaporated milk
4 ounces plain, full-fat yogurt
1 egg yolk
1 dropper full of baby vitamins

Instructions:

Mix all ingredients together and serve.

Hope that you will enjoy making some of the recipes above. We know your pup will. The best part is that there are no preservatives added. All natural treats and foods will render a healthier pet and extend its life span.

By: Charlie Draper

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